Bootcamps

Are you ready to explore how maps, data and storytelling can change the way we understand our world? Join the IIHS Skill Bootcamps—an immersive, interdisciplinary learning experience designed for final-year undergraduate students from any discipline.

Whether you’re curious about cities, climate, development, or data, these bootcamps will equip you with the skills and confidence to move from ideas to impact.

Application Deadline:
GIS & Remote Sensing Bootcamp: 5 January 2025
Urban Data Storytelling Bootcamp: 12 January 2025

GIS & Remote Sensing Bootcamp | 9 to 11 January 2026

This bootcamp introduces undergraduate students to the concepts and applications of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing, helping them appreciate the value of spatial thinking. Participants will gain hands-on experience with open-source tools and learn to explore, analyse and communicate spatial data effectively.

Duration: 3 days

Learning Outcomes

Appreciate the importance of spatial concepts across disciplines, and learn to apply them in academic work
Understand the foundational concepts of GIS and become familiar with common spatial data formats
Work with open-source GIS software and services, gaining practical experience with interfaces and basic tools
Produce maps using openly available and self-created data and perform basic spatial queries
Gain an introductory understanding of the remote sensing process, explore satellite data for visualisation and interpretation
Tools covered: QGIS, Datawrapper, Google Earth Pro, Google Maps, QField, and more

Eligibility

Any student in India who:

Is enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme
Is in their final year of their undergraduate degree
Is familiar with basic computer operations (familiarity with spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel or databases is useful)

Hardware and Software Prerequisites

A laptop with at least 4 GB RAM and an Intel i5 (or AMD equivalent) CPU
Operating system: Windows 10 or higher, macOS High Sierra (10.13) or higher, or any recent Linux distribution with updates
Mouse (required for effective GIS use; trackpads are not sufficient)
Smartphone (basic model is sufficient) for field/mapping exercises

Note: Tablets or touch-only devices are not suitable for this bootcamp

Fee

Day Scholars: INR 3,500 (includes tuition, materials, lunch, and high tea)
Residential Scholars: INR 6,500 (includes tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner, accommodation for two nights, and transport between accommodation and campus)

Urban Data Storytelling Bootcamp | 23 to 25 January 2026

This bootcamp introduces undergraduate students from diverse disciplines to the art and practice of storytelling using data. Participants will explore questions of real-world importance through an interdisciplinary lens and develop data stories about an issue, observation or a change related to cities, towns, or villages.

Duration: 3 days

Learning Outcomes

Develop sensitivity to viewing issues through an interdisciplinary lens
Gain exposure to basic data analysis using accessible tools and visualisation platforms
Learn collaborative research methods and co-creation approaches
Develop skills in translating quantitative findings into accessible narratives for public engagement and policy communication

Eligibility
Any student in India who:

Is enrolled in an undergraduate degree programme in any discipline (engineering, social sciences, arts, commerce, law, or other professional programme)
Has basic computer literacy (familiarity with Microsoft Excel or similar software is useful, but not mandatory)

Hardware and Software Prerequisites
All participants should bring laptops with at least 8 GB RAM and an Intel i5 (or equivalent) CPU.

Fee

Day Scholars: INR 3,500 (includes tuition, materials, lunch, and high tea)
Residential Scholars: INR 6,500 (includes tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch, high tea, dinner, accommodation for two nights, and transport between accommodation and campus)

GIS & Remote Sensing Bootcamp: Conducted by IIHS Geospatial Lab